28-year-old Brooke Birmingham often stayed depressed due her overweight. She was struggling severe obesity problem at such a young age. But Birmingham was clear in what she wanted. She decided to get rid of those extra flab.

In past four years, Birmingham left no stone unturned to bring her back into shape. She also succeeded in losing a significant 172 lbs but her hard labour didn’t bring her fruits of success in real way.

Birmingham’s success was recognized by Shape magazine and they have contacted her to be featured in their “Success Stories” series.
The young achiever has also undergone a telephonic interview with a Shape reporter. During the interview, she shared her tough journey, some weight loss tips, her diet and many more. She was asked by the interviewer to share a bikini photo that would be featured in the magazine.

Soon after she mailed her photo, Birmingham received a reply back that was a ‘letter of disappointment for the young lady. The email by the reporter reads, “Hi Brooke! So great to speak with you the other day. My editors were hoping you could send over a different after photo. (You look ah-mazing, of course, but they are looking to include one with a shirt.) Thanks!”

In the second email, the reporter informed Birmingham about the editorial policy of the magazine. Stating the guidelines, the reporter said that they needed fully clothed photos for stories like Birmingham’s. But, prior success stories in the magazine have featured both shirtless men as well as women in bikinis.

She declined to be featured in the magazine if she could not show off her bikini body.

Expressing her disappointment, Birmingham wrote her on blog, “If anything, the [sic] should want my picture on their site. My body is real, not photoshopped or hidden because I feel like I should be ashamed. This is a body after losing 172lbs., a body that has done amazing things, and looks AMAZING in a freaking bikini.”

She further wrote, “Being asked to send a photo of myself with a shirt on made me feel like I again should be ashamed of my body. That since I have the loose skin, I shouldn’t be in a bikini.”

Even thought her new body failed to earn her fame, her story has gone viral on social networking forums. Her Facebook wall is flooded with kind words and messages of support.